Chris Wade

Chris Wade is the author of the surreal love story ‘Cutey and The Sofaguard.’ He also runs Wisdom Twins Books (his publishing house based in Leeds.) Novel Kicks were very excited to be having a chat with Chris about his typical writing day and who’d he’d invite to dinner…

What was your route to publication?

I never even considered sending my book to a “proper” publishing house. My instinct was to release it myself via the net. My first one published was a book on the actor Malcolm McDowell.

You’re also head of Wisdom Twins Books, which is based in Leeds. Can you briefly explain the history of Wisdom Twins Books?

I started it in about October 2009. Just before that I had the Malcolm McDowell book out via a publishing service which was instantly, as I learned, a mistake. But after that I had the permission to write this book about the ex Stranglers’ singer Hugh Cornwell and his latest album. It was really exciting putting it together, interviewing the band and producer and getting exclusive unseen pictures for it. I was a big fan at the time. But I couldn’t even think which publisher could get it out and printed in a month, because his tour was coming up in November and they wanted to sell it at his concerts. So when I had finished it in late October I started up the site “Wisdom Twins Books.” I got the name from two characters in a book of mine called Cutey and the Sofaguard. From then, it just made sense to release things via that site. At first it was the free magazine Hound Dawg, then the audiobook read by Rik Mayall of Cutey and the Sofaguard. So for me starting it was a great thing and it all was really exciting and satisfying from the beginning.

Does having WTB help or hinder you as a writer?

Help. Mainly because, as I love writing so much, I can do a lot of work and release the titles whenever I want and see to all the business aspect, the promotion and also have no one to answer to. It’s perfect for me because it also makes me more driven as a writer.

Describe your typical writing day.

When I lived on my own I used to work on some things from when I got up in the morning until the middle of the night, until I thought I couldn’t do more, then maybe have a day off the day after. It totally consumed me. Now the writing days differ, so there’s never a really typical writing day for me. Sometimes I might put a couple of hours in, other days I might not write and just focus on promotion and linking on the Internet. But every day involves writing at some stage. But it sort of happens whenever it comes to me and I think it’s probably like that for most writers.

How do you approach planning for a new creative project?

Well if its fiction, I often get some characters in my head first then think about how they can develop within a story. It’s weird because my first fiction book Cutey and the Sofaguard began when I was working at a stationery shop and I would get inspired by the odd people coming in and I’d draw them and do little weird back stories. Cutey developed from ideas I had there but then it expanded much later when I set about writing it. Now it will be a character or a tiny bit of plot that has sparked interest in me. But I never completely plan a book out, so when the end is coming near I sometimes have to stop and really think what is going to happen. But then on shorts i’ve done, the whole lot can be mapped out in my head from the start. So there’s no typical method to that either really. I know that’s a rubbish answer.

Do you edit as you go along or complete a first draft before editing?

I edit as I go but then re-read the book or story about 10 times and edit as I do that. I tend to slip bits out and put things in…. oo er!!

Best/Worst thing about being a writer?

The best is that you get to sit there doing a thing you love for as long as you want and you can make anything happen in your stories. I always get excited when I start fiction because I know so much mad stuff is going to happen. The worst thing is being on your own, so when I can I love to collaborate with others. But the lonely part isn’t that bad anyway really.

For someone new to your writing, can you briefly describe your writing style?

I write character driven stories with a surreal, nightmarish slant. I want things to happen in my stories that you don’t expect or sometimes have never even considered could happen in fiction. The style is quite head on and arresting, yet it still leaves much to the interpretation and imagination of the reader or listener. I love to blue reality and fantasy.

Which book(s) have made the biggest impression on you?

A Clockwork Orange for definite. I saw the film first then read the book and couldn’t believe what Burgess had done. He had really used those 130 pages and created something really shocking and imaginative. Of Mice and Men was one that really hit me when I was at school, because Steinbeck does characters fantastically. Also Hunter S Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas which is brilliant….

Which three things would you take with you to a Desert Island?

My I Pod stuffed up with Kinks, Beatles, Dylan and all my favourites. I’d take a pad of paper (with a pen included in this choice, obviously I wouldn’t want to waste my third selection on a pen) and I would take my girlfriend too.

Which character from fiction would you like to meet?

Hmmmm…. RP McMurphy from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, but I wouldn’t want to meet him in the mental institution. Maybe in a pub for a few pints.

Who would be your ideal dinner guests be?

These questions are great. I’d probably have Dustin Hoffman, Jack Nicholson, Oliver Reed when he was alive obviously, Tom Petty and my family as well, so it would have to be a massive table because i have a massive family.

Five tips for new writers?

Write what you enjoy. Don’t think you HAVE to get your work out with a conventional publishing house. Have confidence in what you’re doing. Put loads of work into it. And … well I don’t need a 5 because 1 to 4 were so bloody good.

Are WTB currently taking submissions? If so, what type of author/book are you looking for and what are your submission guidelines?

Yes I am taking submissions now. I have just published the first book on Wisdom Twins that didn’t have my involvement in some way, called The Void by Derrick Keeton, a book of poetry. I am looking for fiction, alternative non fiction and poetry, with a fresh, exciting and readable slant (god I’ve been reading too many press releases). Send along the manuscript, author biography and a summary of the book. Simple really.

For more information on Chris or Wisdom Twins Books, visit the publishing house’s website by clicking here. 

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by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.